The Arizona sentinel., 1887-01-29

It has been well said that in the sue cession of moving, and often strongly contrasting, events which compose the history of nations, the flag is so closely associated as to become to mems minds the emblem and visible presence of the nation personified. It floats tranquilly over the turning point of battles which determine the nations existence, crowring its triumphs, gracing its festivities, draping its halls of legisla- ture and justice, dropping in its defeats, and shrouding the dead bodies of its heroes. The English word flag" is derived from an English-Danish word meaning to fly, or that which hangs down loosely, and it originated in the early use of rushes for streamers. It is a singular fact that the old English name for the iris or ''feur-de-lis" is flag. In modern parlance under the generic name of flag is included stand ards, ensigns, banners, colors, stream CTS, pennons, ,guidons, coronets or coronels (from which last name is de- rived the title of CofoneD. The guidon, particularly when used in the infant regiments, is sometimes called the marker
 A standard, or flag, represents not only the patriotism and strength, but also the sentiment or thought of the nation. These -emblems have existed from the most remote periods, and have always exercised a powerful influence upon mankind. In the time of Moses, 1491 B. C., the Hebrews had their standards; Solomon hoisted the stand ard of the Lion in Jerusalem, upon which was inscribed the sentiment, ''Rise, Lord, let Thine enemies be dis persed, and let those that hate Thee flee before Thee" Romulus, when he founded Rome, adopted on his standard the image of a she-wolf (his reputed foster-mother), combined with the eagle of Jupiter, which was the emblem of his Senate. Mahomet selected green standard, which is always preserved with the greatest veneration, enveloped in four coverings of green tafeta, in- closed in a case of green cloth, and only on occasions of extreme danger is this sacred symbol taken from its place of deposit. His devout followers believe it was brought down from Heaven by the angel Gabriel.
 In China, the earliest standard of which we have any record represents a warrior staying a hideous-looking dragon with a spear, just as St. George and the dragon are represented in more modern times. The Chinese descrip- tion of this reptile is that it has the head of a camel, the horns of a deer, eyes of a rabbit, ears of COW, neck of a snake. stomach of frog, scales of a carp, claws of a hawk, and the palms of tiger. On each side of the mouth are whiskePs, and its head contains bright pearl. Its breath is sometimes changed into water, and sometimes into fire, and its voice is like the jingling of copper pans. This beautiful reptile existed existed when John Chinaman eAo DlCb O1OdINO Olb Ol lChON CldN. There is comfort in the thought that it became extinct over ten thousand years ago. In our time and generation, sudden meeting of such reptile would not be calculated to inspire in us senti- ments of either confidence, love, cheer fulness, or patriotism. The present national flag of China is triangular in shape, composed of deep yellow bunt- ing, and upon it is blue dragon, with a green head, snapping at red pearl or ball.
 The old imperial standard of Japan, an the opinion of its people, was some- thing sacred and sublime. Its three fold device 'symbolized, several things, combining the sacred, astronomical, social and convivial sentiment. The triple lobes represent Sintoism, the re- hgion of the Kamis, Buddhism and Confucianism. They also symbolized the three annual and the three monthly festivals. First, the great new year, which lasts a month; second, the feast of Spring, on the third day of third month Cor that of the flowers and young maidens), and third and last the feast of neighbors in the ''won't-go- home-till-morning" style.
 Great Britain, or England, that proud nation which boasts that upon its dominion the sun never sets, has more banners or standards than any other kingdom or republic. The first in the list is what is called the royal standards.